Method and system to automatically activate software options upon initialization of a device
US6829704B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/61
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided for activating inactive software options pre-installed on a device upon initialization of the device and thereby preventing installation during device operation. The invention includes receiving a request from a user at a centralized facility for access to an inactive option resident on the device. After validation of the request, an option-specific activation key or code is generated at the centralized facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a host identifier, a use period identifier, and the selected option. The activation key is then transmitted from the centralized facility to the device whereupon only during initialization or reboot of the device is access to the inactive option automatically granted. The limiting of access to the inactive option until device initialization ensures that option enablement is prevented during device operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.